outcome XM-DAC-41146-ALB_O_4

Nurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN-Women culture

Achieved. In 2024 the office successfully met all set indicators, thanks to the work ethics of the team, the inclusive culture and a positive, innovative work environment, and senior management continuing to foster an empowered workforce. Staff development was prioritized, encouraging employees to participate in online training and development programs offered by the UN Staff College, ECARO, etc. All identified courses were included in the 2024 CO Learning Plan, which was regularly updated with additional courses selected in consultation with supervisors. In addition, the CO launched the learning Fridays, organizing knowledge-sharing sessions on the last Friday of the month, to ensure that every team member who benefitted from training opportunities share key learning with the rest of the CO team. The office also maintained 100% compliance in completing mandatory UN Women learning courses. The office maintained 100% compliance with Performance Development Plans and assessments for the previous year, underscoring efforts to monitor performance, empower staff, recognize achievements, and set goals for future improvement. With onboarding of two new projects and departure of the former Head of Programmes, CO managed several recruitments during end of 2024 resulting in two promotions of personnel, respectively for the post of Head of Programmes and Technical Project Analyst with AICS. CO continued to hold regular staff meetings which served as key forums to keep personnel informed about new developments, programmatic initiatives, upcoming projects, and discussions with donors, while also addressing programmatic and operational priorities.

outcome XM-DAC-41146-ALB_O_5

Effective normative, programmatic and coordination products, services and processes

Achieved. The Albania Country Office invested in knowledge products and services to achieve impact at scale, adapting its offerings in close collaboration with the UN Country Team to address national realities and priorities. A notable example is the technical assistance provided to the Ombudsperson’s office for establishing the Observatory on Femicide and publishing of the Report on the Killing of Women and Femicide in Albania (2021-2023). This initiative has equipped Albania with the capacity and tools to monitor extreme cases of violence against women, advance accountability, enhance protection mechanisms, and provide regular independent evidence on the impact of government policies addressing gender-based violence. This initiative was implemented under the United Nations Joint Programme “Ending Violence Against Women in Albania, Phase II,” funded by the Government of Sweden. Another example is the work of the Gender and Thematic Results Group (GTRG), chaired by the UN Women Country Representative. GTRG completed over 90% of planned activities during 2024. Among other achievements, the GTRG made significant contributions to implementing normative commitments on gender equality. The group led UN Albania's engagement in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), 4th cycle, developing a dedicated UNCT submission shared with the UPR in April 2024. Approximately one-third of the recommendations from the UPR session focused on gender equality. 90% of the recommendations included in the UNCT submission, were considered in the final recommendations issued by the . Additionally, the GTRG supported the development and implementation of a dedicated Government of Albania CEDAW Implementation Roadmap to address the 2023 CEDAW Committee Concluding Observations for Albania. The roadmap includes actions such as reviewing the Gender Equality Law, providing technical support, and promoting multi-stakeholder consultations. The amended law is currently being costed and will be posted for public consultations in Q1 2025. The GTRG also reviewed and provided comments on the Criminal Code, Reproductive Health Law, and the Strategy for Employment Safety, aiming to increase gender mainstreaming and gender equality considerations across these policies and programmes. UN Women in Albania has also invested in standardized programmatic approaches, leveraging direct funding to its Strategic Note. Since March 2024, UN Women Albania has received fully flexible Strategic Note Direct Funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. This financing modality has allowed the organization to scale up and expand its footprint across all aspects of its triple mandate, increasing and sustaining human resources capacities, and testing innovative approaches in implementing its programme. Approximately 10% of non-core funding was directly applied towards the Strategic Note.